Growth Plan Changes Town - But Not By Very Much

BELLE ISLE — In the year 2000 the city will have changed, but not drastically, city officials say after going over growth plans for the next 10 years.

Planners predict only a slight increase in population and housing for the small southeast Orange County city of about 5,000 people. The city has about 2,000 homes.

City officials last week were going over the comprehensive growth plan that must be submitted to the state by Jan. 1. The plan, revised every five years, sets the city's goals and policies to provide for its growth.

Residents will have another chance to voice their views Nov. 27 when the Planning and Zoning Board meets.

Mayor Charles Scott said he doesn't see the city staying the same.

''I think we're going to be forced to change,'' he said. ''I think the Central Connector will make an impact and it could be negative or positive.''

The Central Connector is a proposed six-lane toll road that would join downtown Orlando to the international airport. Scott said people may see the connector as a positive factor for living in the south part of the county.

Scott said in 10 years the city could grow to as many as 8,000 people if the city annexes several developed neighborhoods. Belle Isle officials have been approached by some homeowner associations that have expressed an interest in coming into the city. Representatives from an undeveloped 160-home project have also talked with city officials about becoming a part of city.

City Planning Director Thomas Tempia said Belle Isle grew 73 percent from 1980 to 1989 to 5,164 people, mostly due to the annexation of six neighborhoods.

Scott said there is not a great deal of vacant land within the city. There are a few commercial properties left on McCoy Road.

The plan also anticipates coordinating with Orlando, Orange County and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council to avoid duplicating services. Putting the plans into practice becomes complicated because of the time involved.

''They are not the kind of things you can close yourself in an office and do,'' he said. ''Some of the things have to be approved by council and in four to five years there could be a brand-new council that may have different ideas.''

Tempia said most of the policies in the plan are to be implemented by the end of 1993. By 1995, policies should be in place to provide areas for recreation and preserve the environment.